O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden takes a part of the nature reserve fund of Ukraine. Here excursions and educational events are regularly held, introducing everyone to the plant diversity in greenhouses and open areas. The territory of the Botanical Garden (22.5 hectares) is conventionally divided into a scientific collections zone (9 hectares) and a public park — open for free visit. The scientific collections zone is formed as a specialized area for the maintenance, preservation and study of plant collections that have historical and ecological significance. 

The territory of the scientific collections zone consists of several functional sectors: a greenhouse complex, acclimatization areas, stock nurseries and research institutions. Its development took place in parallel with the evolution of botanical science in Kyiv: from the first nurseries and acclimatization areas of the 19th century to modern greenhouse complexes and experimental greenhouses. The central element of the scientific collections zone is the greenhouse complex, one of the most valuable parts of this area. Although modernized in various periods of the 20th–21st centuries, it retains historical appearance, laid out in the 1830s. Currently, the complex includes tropical, subtropical, cactus-succulent and experimental greenhouses with regulated photoperiod and temperature. Of particular scientific interest are old specimens of Cycas revoluta (cycas palm), Ficus elastica (rubber fig), Camellia japonica (Japanese camellia) and Citrus aurantium (bitter orange), which have been preserved since the beginning of the 20th century.

The collection of succulent plants is extremely valuable, because it is one of the oldest in Ukraine, founded at the end of the 19th century and replenished through international exchanges. The xerophyte greenhouses store numerous species of cacti: Mammillaria prolifera (Texas nipple-cactus), Echinocactus grusonii (golden barrel cactus), Opuntia microdasys (bunny ears cactus), rare forms of Astrophytum (astraphytum) as well as representatives of Aloe (Aloe arborescens (krantz aloe), Aloe variegata (tiger aloe)) and spurges (Euphorbia milii (crown-of-thorns), Euphorbia obesa (baseball plant)). These collections have not only botanical but also historical value, since part of the material comes from the European botanical gardens of Krakow, Berlin and Vienna. In addition, the scientific collections zone hosts rhododendrons, conifers, roses, an orchard and a flowering area.

The nurseries, located in the more remote sectors of the scientific collections zone, act as a genetic bank for the further formation of expositions. Seedlings of woody, shrubby and herbaceous species are grown here, which later become part of the collections, are used for scientific experiments or for sale. Special attention is paid to the conservation of species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and international protection lists.

The scientific collections zone plays an important role in modern scientific research. As already mentioned in the excursion, there are 8 scientific departments at the Botanical Garden that conduct research in the field of plant introduction and acclimatization, deal with issues of protection, enrichment and rational use of plant resources, there are groups of landscape architecture, plant protection from diseases and pests, a seed laboratory. Some of the experiments conducted in the laboratories of the Botanical Garden laid the foundation for the dendrological collection. Scientists study phenophases, seasonal growth dynamics, resistance to anthropogenic factors, changes in leaf pigmentation and morphological reactions of plants to stress conditions.

In the laboratory of cytological-histological and biochemical research, comprehensive studies of the mechanisms of acclimatization, adaptation and resistance of plants are carried out at the physiological-biochemical and anatomical-morphological levels. The study of anatomical structures allows us to determine the relationship and evolutionary origin of certain taxa. The laboratory conducts spectrophotometric research of the content of biologically active substances and basic organic compounds of introduced and native plants.

The plant tissue culture laboratory is working on developing technologies for in vitro microclonal propagation of valuable, rare and endangered, medicinal and ornamental plants. The use of biotechnological methods makes it possible to introduce into culture and mass propagation of plants that have collection and scientific value. The stability of growing conditions and optimization of nutrient media during the process of cultivating plants, their tissues and organs ensure the receipt of a large amount of genetically homogeneous planting material. Taxa of Amaryllidaceae, Begoniacea, Bromeliaceae, Cactaceae, Crassulaceae, Gentianaceae, Orchidaceae, Magnoliaceae, Rosaceae, after adaptation, replenish the collection funds of the Botanical Garden. At the same time, the laboratory is a practical base for training students of biological specialties.

The seed laboratory performs the main function of exchanging information, seeds and planting material between scientific institutions of Ukraine and the world. Frequently this is the only opportunity to grow those plant species that cannot be obtained in any other way. An important source of mutual information exchange is the publication of Seed Lists (Delectus seminum), which are sent to botanical gardens and other institutions. The first Delectus seminum, published in 1842, contained 425 plant names. Currently, the catalog has about 1,500 plant names. The laboratory of reproductive biology conducts detailed studies of seed germination and the initial stages of ontogenesis of rare and economically valuable plant species depending on storage conditions and germination methods.

Thus, the scientific collections zone of the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden is a comprehensive research area, combining historical traditions of botanical science, unique plant collections, and modern methods of preserving and studying plant resources. It forms the scientific foundation of the garden and preserves history of botanical introduction in Ukraine, playing a strategic role in the preservation of biodiversity and the development of natural sciences.